Anthony Phillips-Cobbs

Anthony Phillips-Cobbs squeezed a lot of living out of his short life, filling every day with energy, life and love. Everyone in his life was captivated by his dynamic personality. He was sweet, lovable and funny, and had a big heart full of love for his family and compassion for others. Anthony approached everything with optimism, energy and a contagious smile that anyone near him couldn’t help but catch.

The year was 1977, Jimmy Carter was elected the 39th President of the United States, the first Apple computer went on sale, Elvis Presley died of a heart attack and oil flowed through the Trans Alaskan Oil Pipeline for the first time. Meanwhile, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Timothy Cobbs and Shirley Phillips were celebrating the birth of their first and only child, Anthony, on September 7, 1977.

Tony, as he was called, enjoyed a typical childhood growing up in Kalamazoo. His parents both worked to support their family - his father was a carpenter at Western Michigan University while his mother worked at UpJohn. Tony was an active and energetic young boy who wasn’t afraid of adventure. He was never at a loss for friends growing up, perhaps because he was a very strapping young man. Many football coaches tried to recruit Tony because of his size and strength, however, they didn’t have much luck since he didn’t like football. Instead, Tony followed the latest fads of the time, taking karate and learning the ins and outs of computers. He was also a pretty good chef, especially when it came to his salads. Although Tony enjoyed doing all these things, he had a different outlook for his future – he was going to invent something big one day, get rich and never have to work.

Tony was a good student and friend to everyone in school; he was constantly being hugged by someone passing him in the hallway. Tony liked everyone, but was especially mindful and compassionate to the underdogs in life. He received his education attending Indian Prairie Elementary School, Hillside Junior High and Kalamazoo Central, where he graduated in 1995. It was while in high school that Tony found his talent for art, and mixing/arranging music on CDs, which always came in handy when he and his mom went on road trips. Although he loved music from all genres, Tony especially liked gospel music and old familiar songs from the 70s and 80s. Just like he loved classic music, he also liked classic cars decked out with some sweet rims and wheels. Perhaps because of the namesake, Tony collected memorabilia from “Tony the Tiger” from Kellogg’s Frosty Flakes. His choice of a pet wasn’t at all usual either – he had a python snake named Slither Phillips. Tony liked to keep up on current events watching CNN, Discovery Channel and Bill Maher – and liked to think he was open-minded about everything. One day, Tony hoped to travel, and possibly take a cruise.

There was always a special something twinkling inside of Tony. At the age of 15, Tony was led to the Lord by his grandma Phillips. He had a mature nature and was deeply committed to his family, particularly his mom. A devoted son, Tony protected his mom and lived with her off and on for the last 8 years. His big smile and contagious laughter always brightened up the house, and his mom could always count on his quiet strength. Though whenever Tony had a mischievous smirk, which made his dimples show, she knew he was up to something and it was probably naughty. In 2002, Tony was unexpectedly diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Not totally convinced of the severity of his condition, Tony figured it could be fixed and everything would be fine. Then, about a year ago, his condition worsened and he was in need of a heart transplant. Tony spent the last 3 months in the hospital before passing away on Friday, June 18, 2010, in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Tony embraced the love of his family and friends and spent a lifetime making precious memories, which will be forever etched on the hearts of all those he leaves behind. Although his days did not number as many as some, the footprint that Tony created on this world is no less significant. He will be deeply missed.

Learn more about Tony, view his Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with his family and friends on Wednesday, June 23, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900), where services will be held on Thursday, June 24, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Bible Baptist Church (1700 N. Drake Road).

Surviving is his parents, Shirley Phillips and Timothy (Jackie) Cobbs; maternal grandparents, John and Ethel Phillips; 2 step-sisters, Tamiah Cobbs and Vickie Robertson; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Please visit Tony’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association for awareness.